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Your Tongue Is a Window Into Your Overall Health
Doctors say the tongue is a great place to look for signs of trouble — even before other symptoms occur
While it’s not true that your tongue is the strongest muscle in your body (scientists argue it’s either the main jaw muscle or the gluteus maximus, the butt muscle), it’s definitely one of the most unique: The tongue can be a harbinger for the health of your entire body.
According to Dr. Matt Messina, assistant professor of dentistry at The Ohio State University, tongue and mouth tissues are more transparent than skin — so medical providers can more easily see signs of a medical condition beneath the surface.
“The tongue and mouth are a great place to look for signs of disease before a patient develops symptoms,” says Messina. “It may point us in a direction, suggesting we ask more questions.”
People tend to pick up on issues with their own tongues too. Dr. Edward Damrose, professor of otolaryngology at Stanford, says the tongue is loaded with sensory nerves, making it more sensitive than other parts of the body. The tongue is also used for everyday functions like speech, eating, and drinking. “If there’s something wrong, people will generally notice it pretty early,” he says.
Here are some of the most common tongue conditions doctors look for that can signal a larger health issue.
Dry tongue
In a regular dental exam, Messina says one of the first things he checks for is a dry tongue. Most commonly, a dry tongue and mouth stem from basic dehydration that people can easily remedy with fluid intake. But it can also indicate a condition called xerostomia, in which the mouth’s salivary glands don’t produce enough saliva.
Messina says while xerostomia can be a congenital condition, it’s often a medication side effect — there are more than 600 over-the-counter and prescription medications that list dry mouth as a side effect, including antidepressants and antihistamines. If that’s the case, the dentist might recommend talking to a doctor about trying a medication with fewer side effects.
